Known as a chief designer of BMW Group in 1992-2007,
where he was responsible for the design of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce cars,
Chris Bangle has called this prototype “a remarkable work”. Perhaps the most
famous and the most authoritative automobile designer of the 21st century said
that he “didn’t expect to see such a level of Russian industrial design”.

Mercedes SLK car maker Murat Günak, who led the design
for companies such as Peugeot, Mercedes, Daimler Crysler AG, Volkswagen, has
called R1 “trend work”. “My favorite exhibit here is Russian tram. Great job!”
- Günak said speaking at the forum. – “Only with that level of industrial
design, Russian companies can compete in the international market”.

World famous designer Karim Rashid highly appreciated the
development of Uraltransmash and Atom experimental design bureau. Owner of more
than three hundred international prizes in the field of design and architecture
has posted a photo with R1 in Facebook and said that “this is the most
beautiful tram I have ever seen in my life. When it gets out to the streets, it
will become an icon of Yekaterinburg”.

World famous industrial designer Ross Lovegrove has
also expressed his opinion. His clients include such companies as British
Airways, Phillips, Apple, Tag Heuer, Luis Vutton, and Sony. His works have been
exhibited in renowned museums throughout the world: Museum of Modern Art (New
York), Guggenheim Museum (New York), Axis Centre (Japan), the Centre Pompidou
(Paris) and Design Museum (London). Ross Lovegrove did not come to INNOPROM,
but he has sent a message to R1 tram designer Aleksey Maslov where he noted
that the project of R1 tram prototype has “instantly raised the level of
Russian positions in technology”. Lovegrove wrote that he loved inclined faces
of the tram, and general appearance gave the impression of an architectural
object. “I think this approach is a brand new and consider it a new step in
transport design” – he said in the message.

In addition, the new project of Uralvagonzavod Corporation
was reflected in numerous publications in mass media worldwide. Media in Japan,
India, USA, and the European Union told about the tram. Many well-known authors
writing about new technological solutions dedicated their headings to R1
project.